Phillies Sign Adolis Garcia to One-Year Contract

The Philadelphia Phillies have secured a one-year contract with outfielder Adolis Garcia, as reported by Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com. The deal, which is pending a physical examination, guarantees Garcia $10 million for the 2024 season.

Background on Adolis Garcia

Garcia, 33 years old, was non-tendered by the Texas Rangers last month. He entered free agency after the Rangers opted not to retain him, largely due to a projected salary of $12.1 million for 2026, which the team deemed too high.

Recent Performance

In 2023, Garcia played a significant role in the Rangers’ historic run, contributing to their first-ever World Series championship. He recorded 39 home runs with a batting line of .245/.328/.508, along with commendable defensive skills.

However, Garcia’s statistics in 2024 and 2025 reflected a decline. He struggled with a .224/.284/.400 line in 2024 and dropped further to .227/.271/.394 in 2025. These figures illustrated a concerning trend, as Garcia’s overall performance became emblematic of the Rangers’ struggles to escape a boom-or-bust offensive strategy.

Defensive Capabilities

Garcia is expected to bring a substantial defensive upgrade to the Phillies’ lineup. He has consistently earned strong defensive ratings, except during 2024 when he faced challenges due to a knee injury. In comparison, Nick Castellanos, the Phillies’ previous right fielder, recorded a -11 Defensive Runs Saved, while Garcia achieved a +16 in the same metric.

Despite previous ups and downs, Garcia’s impressive average exit velocity of 92.1 mph and a hard-hit rate of 46.7% reinforce his potential for offensive success. However, a worrisome increase in his chase rate on pitches outside of the strike zone from 29.5% in 2023 to 35.1% in 2025 highlights an area for improvement.

Role in the Phillies Lineup

Garcia is expected to take over as the primary right fielder for the Phillies, a role previously held by Castellanos, who is nearing the end of a five-year contract. The Phillies are actively exploring trade options for Castellanos, who had a disappointing performance last season, hitting his career-low of .250/.294/.400.

The Phillies are hoping that Garcia can recapture his 2023 form or at least improve upon his recent numbers. With his mix of power, defense, and potential for improvement, he represents a strategic addition to the team as they aim to strengthen their 2024 season.